National Moving Month: DIY vs Moving Company

 

Did you know that June is Queen City’s busiest moving month? On top of that, it’s also National Moving Month! The months of April through September are when most people are renting, buying, and moving into new homes, with 80% of all moves in the United States occurring during this period.

When you’re planning to move, one of the biggest choices you face is whether to move yourself (a DIY move), go all the way and hire professional movers, or opt-in for a hybrid move. There’s obviously no wrong way to move, but choosing can come down to what you prioritize: money or convenience.

If you’re moving this month or this Summer, you need to book now! Book your Charlotte move with TNT Moving Systems! June is Charlotte’s busiest moving month and it’s National Moving Month, so moving company’s schedules are filling fast and you don’t want to be stranded without any help. Give TNT Moving Systems a call today to discuss your moving options and our availability.

 

Professional Movers VS DIY Move

• Full service move: This is the most convenient type of move, where the professional moving service is packing, loading, transporting, and unloading all of your belongings. Consequently, this is also the most expensive option.
• Hybrid move: A hybrid move can allow you to skip the portions of the move you can’t or don’t want to do (e.g. moving only heavy furniture, packing, loading the truck, only moving certain rooms), while saving some money as you opt to do some of the work yourself. This price can range as it’s entirely customizable to the services you choose, but typically falls at a mid-range price point.
• DIY move: A do-it-yourself (DIY) move is usually considered the most affordable option, as it’s assumed you are doing everything yourself for free, or have friends and family willing to help you at no cost. This is the least convenient method, as it relies on the time and effort of you and others, without the reliability or efficiency of a professional moving team.

 

Hiring movers for specialized services or a hybrid move

Professional movers can service moving trucks, trailers, portable moving storage containers, and tow-behind trailers. They also offer a variety of services that go beyond traditional packing, loading, truck service, and unloading.

Professional movers can focus on certain areas of your move. For example:

• Movers can only move furniture, without packing and loading all of your belongings
• Movers can focus on a specific room or set of rooms
• Movers can aid in moving specialized items to prevent damage

Professional movers can also be hired for on-site or in-home moves within a home, apartment, or complex. Some renters may have a lease run out in one apartment, but are living within the same building – we provide moving services no matter the type of move, or whether it requires the use of a truck or just a hand truck.

We see these types of services for on-site moves:

• When a home is being renovated and the owners need furniture moved around the home or relocated into storage units
• During the home staging phase, furniture and personal belongings are moved out to reduce clutter, or new staging furniture is moved in
• Donation or removal of unwanted furniture and items from a home
• Businesses moving offices within the same building or complex
• Furniture relocation as repairs are made

Every situation is different, and there are always different reasons behind why you might opt for professional movers for your move. When it comes to specialized moves or on-site moves, professional movers have the advantage of reliability, efficiency, and an insured system backing them.

 

DIY Move versus Professional Moving Services

Chances are, you’ve got at least one self-move under your belt, whether that was moving into a dorm room, leaving your parent’s house for the first time, or finding yourself at the last minute of an apartment lease and loading up at the last minute possible. In the moment of moving yourself, recall the effort, frustration, and time; now think of all the things you’ve accumulated since then. Would you even be able to move your new bedroom set anymore or with the help of friends? Even if you feed them pizza and promise a case of beer, will your friends actually be able to lift that grand piano to the truck?

A DIY move can feel like a savvy way to save money amidst the costs of down payments, rent, and other moving costs, but moving all of your belongings usually isn’t a quick walk in the park. For those with cherished valuables and an independent mentality, it’s easy to understand why some people choose to handle a move themselves. Moving costs are typically the largest factor in this decision, but there are a few other factors that can be evaluated when deciding if you want to move yourself or hire professional movers.

When you move yourself, every step of the process is up to you. Purchasing boxes, paper, bubble wrap, and tape, renting a U-Haul, or borrowing a friends’ truck; it’s in no way a one-stop-shop. Hiring movers means that you’ll have a team of professionals who are proficient and efficient at getting you moved. However, moving labor isn’t always an affordable option for everyone. We’re going to discuss the benefits and takeaways of a DIY move versus a professional moving service, and go more in depth on the moving options you have with a professional moving service that you might not have known about.   

Packing and loading

When many people think of movers, they might think only of loading and unloading rental trucks. But professional moving services can cover packing the home’s belongings as well.

During a DIY move, you will likely take longer to pack and load your items, between sorting for donations, distractions by nostalgic items, or the sheer effort of packing your entire life into boxes. A professional moving service during the packing period will see categories and rooms and work efficiently to sort items into appropriate boxes and packaging.

In turn, if you’re moving yourself, you might either be using a personal vehicle limited greatly by space or renting a moving truck and simply be unseasoned at the best methods for packing your items both logically and safely. Professional movers handle the loading and organization of the truck entirely, leaving the owner to handle their personal go-bags, valuables that won’t go in the truck like plants, pets, expensive items or jewelry, etc.

Liabilities and insurance

When you move yourself, you’re typically liable for damage to items or belongings during the move. Friends or volunteers may not be as careful with your items when moving or simply may not know how to handle heavy or larger items, leading to risk for those moving and the items being moved. Once the items are loaded, damage to your belongings in a personal vehicle or a friend's truck may not be covered in case of accidents.

With a team of professional movers, you won’t have to worry about injury among your movers or damage to your belongings. A professional moving team will talk you through your options to ensure your belongings before the move takes place, and discuss their own insurance and liability policies. With a professional move, a contract is always signed, detailing all costs, fees, schedules, and other expectations so that there are no surprises and no stress on your part.

Transportation

In a DIY move, you may be responsible for driving a long distance, the cost of gas in a rental vehicle, or finding a way to transport both your rented truck and your personal vehicle. If you’re thinking that renting a moving truck yourself will save you money, you might want to think again. The average cost for a moving truck on a local move is between $120 and $200/day, while a long distance move can cost between $1500-$2300. Moving trucks only get about 8-15 MPG, so you’ll also have to add in the cost of gas, and total mileage costs. With liability coverage, dolly, and blanket rentals also potentially becoming incurred, the costs of renting a truck only become higher.  

Professionalism and overall efficiency

Professional movers, you could say, have been around the block a time or two. They know the rules of the road, the best way to pack a truck, and how to work as a team to get your move done right and on time.

If you’re moving on your own, the best way to get your U-Haul or SUV ticketed is to park illegally on one of Charlotte’s busiest streets. Know the rules about where to park when unloading or loading, especially at uptown apartments and townhomes where parking is already limited and highly supervised. Ever been in a 26 foot truck and realized you can’t find a gas station that will serve you? Or want to stop for food along the way but have no idea where to park? What would happen if the truck breaks down?

A professional moving service would help you navigate some of these potential issues by either handling them entirely or by aiding in planning your trip. Professional moving services have the licensure to handle large moving trucks and know where they can park and unload the vehicle.

Besides, how many friends do you have that want to help you move a sofa? If the answer is less than 3, you may want to consider a professional mover. Remember June is National Moving Month – your friends will likely be busy with other people asking them to help out! Professional movers are on fixed schedules and work as teams, unlike waiting on friends and family to help -- or worse, potentially bail and leave you hanging. Even if you and your friends are active people, moving is physically stressful and leaves most people sore and exhausted for days to come.

Professional movers have all of the tools and expertise to handle your move and have experience under a variety of circumstances. Rain or shine, Charlotte humidity or freezing temperatures, professional movers are equipped to handle any weather. Professional movers also make long-distance moves on a weekly basis. If you’re moving long distance for the first time, professional movers will ensure fewer complications on this large undertaking.

Movers have all of the tools and expertise to handle your move efficiently, quickly and deliver within a set period of time. Rather than finagling boxes and half packed items into multiple cars, often one large moving truck can fit all of your belongings with expertise organization.

 

Additional Tips for Moving in Peak Season or month of June

If you’re moving in the peak season of April through September, the best approach of moving during the busy summer season is to book your move as far in advance as possible – preferably, we’re talking months in advance if you want to schedule a specific date and time.

What to know about booking during peak season: 

• The beginning and end of each month has the greatest demand
• Weekdays have less demand and more availability; weekends are the most sought after days.
• Morning time slots are the most desired and always the first to be booked
• The days surrounding Memorial Day are usually the most in-demand dates

Realistically, you may not always have time on your side; houses sell and close rapidly, dates get pushed, jobs and circumstances change on a dime. In general, we recommend that you schedule at least two weeks in advance, and if possible, further, to have the best availability with your movers.

You can always cancel if your move changes, but waiting to book your moving company until the busiest moving time of the year starts is a mistake! They don’t call it National Moving Month for nothing! Book your move with TNT Moving Systems, and we’ll ensure that we get your belongings where you need to be in a safe, timely, and reliable manner. Moving isn’t a frequent event in most of our lives, but professional movers like our team at TNT Moving Systems do it everyday. Trust the professionals for your next move!

Moving Between Moves: What to know about Temporary Housing

 

At TNT Moving Systems, we work with people at every step of the moving process and have witnessed some of the challenges that come with temporary housing. In an ideal world, your moving, closing, and selling dates would all align perfectly. In reality, it’s not uncommon to find yourself with extra days, weeks, or even months between moving dates. This means you have to find a place to stay in the interim; say hello to temporary housing!

Temporary housing is basically what it sounds like; it's a space rented as a temporary, short-term solution while you’re awaiting the move to your next home. For some, this might look like an extended stay at a hotel or AirBnB, while for others, this could be a month-to-month apartment or house rental. There are a ton of great options at a range of prices, and you should definitely be able to find a great place to call home when looking for short term housing, without sacrificing comfort or the necessities.

 

The 2021 U.S. Housing Shortage

Since 2010, the US housing market has been struggling to keep up with buyers demand for residential real estate. Real estate experts estimate that there are fewer than three months of supply of homes on the market since the 2000’s, which equates to a shortage of about 2.4 million homes. In the 2020 recession, home building was put to a halt in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent supply chain issues on building materials, which otherwise is typically the busiest season for new construction.

Builders are already more than busy this year, as interest in housing has skyrocketed more than ever. Whether it’s people who realize their home is uncomfortably small or were forced to move home during COVID lockdowns, Americans want more space. Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington, associate vice president of forecasting and analysis at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimated that “New construction on single-family homes could exceed 1-million (in 2021).”

According to the National Association of Realtors, the 2021 spring market is starting off with the lowest levels of homes on the market in nearly 40 years. Demand (pending listings on the mark) is outstripping supply (active listings) in 70% of metro areas. Listing prices are rising at double-digit rates in 64% of metro areas. This, combined with aggressive fiscal policy, low mortgage rates, and job growth means that demand for homes will only continue to increase.

Goodbye city-living, hello space!

People are moving away from big city overpriced apartments and townhomes, and reassessing what they truly want and need. For many, that assessment includes space and reasonable housing prices, with a push towards the suburbs, exurbs, and even the countryside. Remote employees are leaving big cities as they can now live in lower cost areas. Post-vaccine America may have different geographical shifts, with a rush to return back to the cities, but for those who are able to keep up their remote work, there may be a collective shift where people want to reside outside of their working hours. Cities tend to have stricter laws, high taxes, and less space for your money. Telecommuting and living in areas with fewer restrictions can make more sense financially. A comfortable, spacious home may be more valuable than what they can afford in the city.

The South and Southeast have seen major growth in the past year, with many northerners fleeing high COVID case cities, cold temperatures, cramped and overpriced housing. Texas, Florida, and the Carolinas have seen the highest growth in the South. On the West coast, mountain states like Idaho, Colorado, and Utah have also experienced similar levels of growth, with people moving away from the expensive coastal cities.

New home construction in 2021

In addition, more entry-level homes are also expected to enter construction this year, which will help the competitive housing market against too many entry-level buyers pushing up prices. Affordable housing is a crisis across the country, and builders are trying to meet the demands for these homes. Southern states, mountain areas, and the Midwest are seeing higher rates of home construction as they offer more pro-business environments, readily available land, and cheaper building permits for potential builders and buyers.

The first rule of building or renovating a new home is to double the time estimate it takes to finish the job. Contractors are rarely ahead of schedule. For those building a new home, construction continues to face problems it has had for years. Between increased lumber prices, limited lot supplies, green space requirements, restrictive zoning laws, costly permits, and a skilled labor deficit since the 2010 recession, there simply aren’t enough supplies, workers, or incentives. Existing homeowners can also pose a problem, as they tend to vote against multifamily construction and low income housing, which drives up land costs.

Buyers awaiting closing amidst a housing crisis

With this scarcity of homes for sale, buyers are more than motivated – we’re talking multiple people bidding on homes, buyers placing bids without ever having stepped foot in a house, and buyers placing bids over the asking price, all of which drive up the prices. The ball is in the seller’s court, for sure right now, which isn’t the best news if you’re a first-time homebuyer looking to snag a home in 2021.

What’s the fix for those buyers in the in-between period? Temporary Housing!

Are you approaching the downtime between your current home and the day that you’re finally allowed to move into the home that you just bought? Or are you building a new home, but managed to sell your existing home before the new one is complete?

Whether you finally get the job you want in the perfect city, are ready to take the leap into purchasing a new home, are caught between selling, buying, building, or renovation, housing is simply unavailable. There is a widespread housing shortage in major cities all across the US. As a result, many buyers may need to utilize temporary housing until they can find the right house or move into their new home.

 

Weighing Out Temporary Housing Options

While some may be lucky enough to have friends or family willing to host you in-between moves, you’re more than likely going to need to find temporary housing through a rental or vacation company. An apartment broker may be the easiest way to learn about your options in a specific area you’re interested in and be able to filter your choices by rate, location, and amenities. This service is completely free since property managers pay apartment brokers. However, this also means that an apartment broker is mainly searching for short-term rentals and corporate housing options, not vacation rentals or extended stay hotels.

Short term-rentals: Short-term rentals are typical apartments or houses that offer flexible lease terms (e.g. weekly, month-to-month, 3-month, etc.). Typically, the less amount of time you lease, the higher the cost of your monthly rent.

Corporate housing: While similar to short-term rentals, corporate housing is created with the intent of lodging traveling business professionals. People with traveling or contracting careers like nurses or flight attendants may seek out this type of rental, or most popularly, workers undergoing relocation.

Sublets: A sublet is taking over a lease from an existing tenant for a set duration of time or remainder of the original lease. A sublet may require approval from the tenant’s landlord. Depending on the availability of the rental market in your area, subletting may be a good option.

Vacation Rentals: You may only think of sites like Airbnb and HomeAway for people purely vacationing. However, the real aim is to connect homeowners trying to rent out their homes or a room in their house. With rental periods ranging from days to months, vacation rentals are a great way to find temporary housing. Many hosts offer discounts for longer stays, and unlike say, sublets on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace listings, vacation rental sites like Airbnb and HomeAway make the search, comparison of options, communication with the owner, and payment process seamless, both on desktop and mobile.

Extended stay hotels: If you require housing for more than a few days, an extended stay hotel accommodates guests who need the convenience and accessibility of a hotel stay, without the pricey nightly rates of a typical hotel. Different hotel chains offer varying rates, depending on the length of your stay, the quality of the room, etc.

 

Plan for your belongings during your temporary stay

The biggest issue temporary housing seekers face is figuring out what to do with their things. Some rentals may require you to bring your own furniture, whereas others may come fully furnished and equipped. In either case, you’re probably going to be in a situation where the rental isn’t large enough to house all your belongings, or you don’t want to move an entire home multiple times during your temporary stay.

Storage pods or units may be the best answer in a temporary housing situation. Whether you are waiting on construction or bidding on a new home, keeping your belongings in less expensive storage may be the right solution for your family.

Some might be lucky enough to have family willing to store their belongings in the in-between.

 

Make use of furniture rentals to avoid hauling your entire house to a short-term stay.

Furniture rentals can be a real lifesaver for a number of reasons. Maybe you’re a young adult just starting out, and wanting to invest in nice pieces rather than hold onto your college Ikea collection. Buying new furniture all at once for a new place is super expensive, and renting can be a great way to figure out what pieces and style you like without the long term commitment. Even in temporary rentals where you can bring your own furniture, you’re probably going to want to reduce the heavy lifting with furniture rental.

Consider: Price of rentals versus length of rentals

You may need to consider weighing the costs against the length of the rental period. Longer furniture rentals may not weigh out in being both cost effective and convenient. Typically, furniture rentals can be a cheap, temporary solution for short, say 1-6 month periods. You’ll find that most furniture rental companies charge (in addition to the monthly base rental fee) a delivery fee, deposit insurance, interest, or even service fees like online payment charges. Some even have a minimum purchase threshold. So between charges, delivery, set-up, and taxes, more often than not, the price of renting furniture ends up being more than just purchasing it. When you purchase furniture, you’re making an investment into a piece to last for years. Depending on your temporary housing stay, you’ll need to weigh out the costs beyond the upfront charges of the rental.

Consider: Your ability to keep the rented furniture clean.

The beauty of owning your furniture is just that – it’s yours to do with however you like. While you’re never aiming to spill that red wine on the sofa or let your pet throw up on a rug rather than the wood floors, accidents happen all the time. When it comes to rental furniture, you won’t have the flexibility of mistakes without incurring direct costs.

 

Final Temporary Housing Moving Tips

• If your length of stay is unknown or dates are in flux, communicate with the landlord before booking. A huge factor in finding the right temporary housing is how long you plan to stay versus your budget – and whether or not you require flexibility in extending your stay and add time. 
• Don’t forget your pets! Go ahead and make certain that you’re filtering for pet friendly rentals from the start, or begin researching for the paw-fect boarding facility for your furry loved ones. Most temporary rentals require an additional monthly fee, and many don’t allow pets at all. Remember, a move is just as stressful on your pet as it is on you, so take their comfort into high consideration as you’re finding an appropriate short term housing solution. 
• Ask about costs additional to rent. Beyond monthly rent or pet rent, some temporary housing may also have fees for utilities, parking, or general repairs. Since short term rentals already run at a higher cost, you’ll want to know exactly what you’re getting into before signing any contracts. 
• Book your final move ahead. Better to book with a tentative date than to not book at all, and be left stranded. Ideally, you’ll want to book 6-8 weeks ahead of your move. We know that with contractors and sales, there’s a lot of moving parts that can push deadlines without any warning. At TNT Moving Systems, we will do our best to accommodate your moving goals.